Desilting work on Adyar river begins

PWD sources said that after water in all the lakes receded, they started taking up lake and river improvement works. In February 2016, officials commenced desilting work in Adyar river, but left the work incomplete due to funds crunch. Though the officials had sent a proposal for Rs 2 crore to take up works last year, the government released only Rs 20 lakhs. 

A senior PWD engineer said, “This is the right time for undertaking such works as the heavy downpour and subsequent floods during 2015 northeast monsoon filled up all the water-bodies with rainwater, causing severe damage to rivers.” 

The official also added that they would start work on fencing, desilting and construction of ramparts at some points along the river, against possible floods in future. A separate proposal has been sent to the government for funds, he added. The desilting and widening of Adyar has begun in full earnest now, say officials. 

“Work has started in Adhanur and a sizable number of earth movers have been pressed into service. We will complete all the work within a couple of months,” said another engineer from PWD, Chennai region, requesting anonymity. 

When asked about desilting of the stretch of the river passing through the city, the engineer said last year, desilting of Adyar river near Maraimalai Adigal bridge at Saidapet had been done, and they would continue along the rest of the stretch after work at Adhanur is completed. Since a humungous amount of garbage is being dumped along the banks of river, officials plan to earmark some points to construct ramparts. 

“We will construct ramparts or fencing to prevent such disposal in residential areas. Further, signboards containing awareness messages and warnings for violators will also be erected,” said the official.